With two presidents, Jalandhar Congress a divided house

Jalandhar: The inactive political scene of the region on Monday suddenly turned active, after the District Congress Committee (Urban) leaders emerged as a divided house in Jalandhar, putting the party leaders in confusion.

Party leaders were not only left divided but unsure of whom to follow, as two leaders of district congress urban unit were claiming their control over the post. While one was the sitting president, other was appointed recently.

Jalandhar Central seat candidate Rajinder Beri, who was busy contesting assembly elections remained the President of District Congress Committee (Urban) Jalandhar. However, when Beri was fielded in assembly elections, the party directed Daljit Singh Ahluwalia to head the post.

On Monday, Daljit Singh Ahluwalia conducted an honour ceremony of party workers at Congress Bhawan, which was nothing short of a show of strength to stake claim on the post. Rajinder Beri, who served as the president termed Ahluwalia’s move as wrong.

Talking to Daily Post, Rajinder Beri said, “I am still serving as the president of district congress urban unit. But, as I was busy with assembly elections, the party directed Ahluwalia to head the unit but till the elections were held on February 4. Ahluwalia was the acting president of the Jalandhar congress till elections.”

Daljit Ahluwalia on the other hand said, “I have been appointed as the president of the district congress urban unit till further orders. Any doubts on this would be cleared by the party high command soon.”

Beri also said that he spoke to senior congress leaders, who informed that the appointment of Ahluwalia was meant for the period till February 4.